James Hiram McBride

Who we are, what we are, in our eternal completeness, lies outside of this physical reality out of necessity; for this small finite body could never contain All That We Are.” - JHM

James Hiram McBride (Jim), 86, departed Schoolhouse Earth on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024, in his home in Taylor, Texas. He was born at 2:10am December 13, 1937 at the old Seton Hospital in Austin, Texas to Thaddeus James McBride and Martha Nadine (Reed) McBride.

He is joining his soul mate, Laura Linell McBride, who made her heavenly journey back home in 2021 after 38 years of marriage. He is also preceded by both parents, his son Anthony James McBride, brothers Kenneth and Ben McBride.

As a child, Jim spent his early childhood years in Austin, Texas on Woodview Avenue, out in the country with red dirt roads and fields of bluebonnets spanning the distance between the few nearby homes. They raised cows, turkeys, chickens, and had a large garden and fruit trees. They spent several years in San Francisco when his father joined the Navy during WWII, but returned to Texas once it was over. Jim described his childhood as pastoral simplicity, living in Austin when the population was only around 8,000 people. Reading books was his favorite past time as a child, and later as an adult.

When he was 16, Jim married his first love, Betty Jane, and had 5 children as quickly as possible. He is survived by 4 of them, Pamela Jane and her husband Ric Carter, Michael Keith McBride, Betty Jeannette McBride, and Karen Lynn and her husband Robert Phillips. He and Betty divorced in 1971.

Jim learned to play the piano in church by ear, and later became a professional musician by night and piano tuner-technician by day. He loved playing 50s rock and roll, blues, country, easy listening, jazz, as well as singing lead and harmony. He also learned to play the organ, guitar, double bass, electric bass guitar, euphonium, and trombone. Jim also began writing and composing music at age 15.

Jim always felt drawn to learning and sharing knowledge with those around him, and began that journey as a preacher and then later as a religious scholar. He spent much of his adult years learning about different religions and spiritualities, amongst other interests. He married the love of his life, Laura, at Light in the Country Church in 1983.

Jim leaves behind 3 sisters, Beth Underwood, Martha McBride, and Sue Christiansen, as well as 4 living children, 17 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 6 great great grandchildren who lovingly called him Papa.

A celebration of life for James will be held Friday, May 10, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752.